Do Combat Exposure and Post-Deployment Mental Health Influence Intent to Divorce?

The period after returning from combat deployment is a dynamic time for relationships. Anecdotally, some couples report their relationship is stronger after the deployment and others report the onset of marital problems. In a sample of 194 soldiers, we examined the association between combat exposure, mental health symptoms, aggressive behaviors, and intent to divorce or separate during the 4- and 9- month post-deployment period. At Time 1, 37% soldiers reported problems in their marriage and the degree of marital distress was positively associated with PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and aggression. Time 2 intent to divorce or separate was bivariately associated with Time 1 marital distress, relationship psychological aggression, and PTSD re-experiencing symptoms; there were also trends for combat exposure and general aggression to be bivariately associated with Time 2 intent to divorce or separate. Further, there was a significant interaction between marital distress and combat exposure such that military personnel with a combination of high levels of combat exposure and marital distress were at heightened risk for intent to divorce at Time 2, even after accounting for PTSD symptoms. This finding suggests higher levels of combat exposure may influence willingness to stay in a distressed marriage; possible mechanisms for this, such as changes in life priorities, are discussed.